The Adoption
When a person adopts a child, it is a very long and drawn out affair. There are background checks, criminal checks, financial checks, all to make sure that you can provide for the child you are trying to adopt. Adoption is a very costly procedure. Many dollars are spent for a family to adopt a child. Just like it is expensive for people to adopt, it was very costly for God to adopt you and I, if we are born again. It cost God everything to adopt you and I.
1 Corinthians 6:20 - For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 7:23 - Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
He didn’t spare anything to adopt us. Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
I know two people that have adopted children over the years. And in both instances, the child looks like the mom, and/or dad. If you or I have been born again, then we should begin to look like the Father. Not in the physical aspect, but in the spiritual aspect. We should act like God, not like the devil. That is unless you have never been born again the Bible way. You ever hear anyone say, "you act just like your daddy"?
When you do something ask yourself, would Jesus do this. When you say something, ask would Jesus say that. What is it that you are, or are not doing, that displeases God? Why, or why not? Is it fear, laziness, stubbornness, pride? What is it keeping you from being like Jesus? We are days away from 2015. Wouldn’t it be nice if we would resolve to be just a little more like Jesus this week, than we were last week? How about more today than yesterday?
When children adopted, the new parents provide all the needs for the new child. Even as the children grow up, the parents are always there for them. Philippians 4:19 -But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Tell the story of the boy trying to get adopted, and everyone passes him by.
Respected Citizen
Church Attendance
Good Works
Money Giver
Nobody wanted him; he was dirty, and unrefined. But then a trumpet sounded, and a car pulled up with a King. King Jesus was in town and He was looking for a new child. As He looked around he saw that dirty child, and said, that is who I want. Get the papers; I will pay whatever the cost. NO, shouted the manager, that child has been terrible, and he is going nowhere. As a matter of fact, he is getting a beating as soon as everyone leaves. Then, said the King, I shall take his stripes. That day I was adopted into the family of God. God has taken care of me, and He continues to love me still today.
You know, though I am old now, my dad, who thankfully is still alive, still advises me in the areas that I allow him to. God will advise us in the areas we allow Him to. But just like my dad, He won’t force you to do His will. And one day I am going to see Him again. What will that day be like? What will it be like for you?